30 Small Apartment Storage Ideas to Maximize Space

A small apartment can pose a challenge when it comes to storage, but with a little bit of creativity and a helpful organizational system, you can easily maximize space.

Whether you're dealing with small bedroom closets, a tiny bathroom vanity, or minimal kitchen cabinet space, we're sharing 30 clever ideas and tools that will add function and create more storage space in even the tiniest of apartments. From purchasing multi-purpose pieces of furniture to utilizing various types of storage containers, we've compiled these simple and inexpensive tips and tricks to help you maximize your storage space and streamline your home.

Switch to Slim Hangers

If your small closet is currently made up of a mix of bulky wood and plastic hangers, make the switch to slim non-slip hangers. Not only will they give your closet a streamlined, professionally organized look, the space-saving velvet hangers will create much more hanging room.

Utilize Wall Space

When organizing a small closet, maximize storage space by hanging what you can on the walls. This includes items such as hats, scarves, jewelry, belts, and more. This method will free up shelf and drawer space and keep your favorite items conveniently on hand.

Free Up Cabinet Space

Limited cabinet space can make kitchen storage a challenge. If your cabinets are bursting at the seams, prioritize what goes inside them and hang items such as pots and pans on a wall-mounted rack. This will free up cabinet space and keep your cooking pots quickly accessible by the stove.

Hide Clutter in Baskets

Wicker baskets are your best friend when it comes to quick, inexpensive, and flexible storage. They bring in a textural element and are a great way to fill an empty corner or space under a console, but they also serve a functional purpose.

Use them to quickly clean up clutter, or to hold everyday items such as shoes or seasonal accessories in your entryway.

Use a Storage Ottoman

The key to keeping a small apartment tidy and clutter-free is using versatile furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes. A storage ottoman has hidden space to hold things like blankets, books, or pillows, but it also works as a coffee table and a spot to put up your feet after a long day.

Add a Coffee Table With Storage

Instead of using a coffee table that only has a top surface, choose one that doubles as a storage vessel. This can either be a round coffee table with a removable top that has a storage basket as its base or a coffee table with shelves or drawers.

Get Cleaning Tools Off the Ground

Cleaning tools such as vacuums, mops, and brooms can quickly become a tripping hazard that takes up too much room, which is why organizing them properly is key. Mount them on the wall in a closet or laundry room to keep them easily accessible but hidden and out of the way.

Make Use of the Pantry Door

If your pantry consists of a small closet with a couple of shelves, instantly add extra space by installing an over-the-door storage rack with tiered shelves. Use them to hold spices, condiments, and other non-refrigerated items.

Hang Plants

For anyone whose plants have taken over every surface in their small apartment, here's a way to add more plants without running out of space—hang them from the ceiling. Use hanging planters to suspend them from a slanted wall or ceiling and add a cool decorative element to your space at the same time.

Bring in Risers

Place plastic or wood risers on pantry shelves to hold cans and other nonperishable goods. You won't have to rummage through an entire shelf to find what you need as it'll be clearly visible, you'll gain extra space, and your pantry will be neater and more organized.

Install a Tiered Shower Caddy

Use a tiered corner shower caddy if your bathroom has limited or no storage space at all. This clever storage solution doesn't require any drilling and usually attaches to bathroom tile with strong suction cups, making it the perfect choice for renters.

Add a Lazy Susan Turntable

Another great trick for keeping pantry items and condiments easily accessible and creating more shelf space is to use a lazy Susan turntable. The wood or plastic round tray turns 360 degrees and works just as well in a pantry or cabinet as it does inside a fridge.

Double Closet Hanging Space

You may think there's no way you can double hanging space in your small closet, but you actually can—simply hang two rails at different heights. Use the top rail for tops and the lower for bottoms and it'll instantly create twice as much storage space as you had before.

Store Shoes in an Over-the-Door Rack

Hang an over-the-door rack on your closet door to hold shoes so that they don't clutter your entryway. This is an inexpensive storage tool that consists of clear plastic or fabric pockets for each shoe that has two hooks at the top to hang over the door. You can also use it to store other items such as hats and gloves in an entryway closet or toiletries in a small bathroom.

Throw Out Bulky Boxes